In hindsight, it takes a lot of, um, basketballs, to do what Jason Kidd did this past summer.
Kidd completed only one season as the Nets’ head coach, then decided he no longer wanted to be in Brooklyn. The club eventually acquiesced, trading Kidd to the Milwaukee Bucks for two draft picks.
Kidd had to know that sort of decision might upset Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov — which seems like something you wouldn’t want to do. That’s because Prokhorov is a terrifying human being, something that has been documented a few times.
The intimidating Russian bajillionaire publicly commented on Kidd’s departure for the first time Monday night before the Nets’ home opener.
“I think there is a nice proverb in English: Don’t let the door hit you where the good Lord has split you,” Prokhorov told reporters, according to ESPN.com. “So I think that each side, we did what we thought was the best and I like what we have now.
“I think our structure is optimal. We have a very strong experienced coach and a very strong GM (in) Billy King.”
Prokhorov insisted, however, the Nets have moved on from Kidd.
“I think we shouldn’t get mad,” Prokhorov said. “I think we should get even. And we will see it on the court.”
So far, so good for Prokhorov and the Nets. Brooklyn cruised to a 31-point win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night and improved to 2-1 in the process. Kidd’s Bucks? They’re 1-2.
Photo via Anthony Gruppuso/USA TODAY Sports Images
